Creed

The Foundation of Our Unity

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We confess the Christian faith and recognize as Christians all who confess the Apostles’ Creed. It is a concise summary of Christian belief.

We belong to different Christian traditions and churches and may differ in our understanding of particular theological questions, church practices, and forms of ministry. At the same time, we are united in the core truths of the faith expressed in the Apostles’ Creed. All other differences we consider secondary in relation to this common foundation.

If a different creed is used in your church, for example:

• Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed (Orthodox, Catholic, most Protestants)
• Athanasian Creed (Catholic, Anglican)
• Augsburg Confession (Lutherans)
• Westminster Confession of Faith (Reformed churches)

then by this you also confess the Apostles’ Creed, since it forms their foundation.

In this case, we recognize you as Christians and consider common fellowship possible on this basis.

We also expect that within our fellowship you will recognize as Christians other believers who confess the Apostles’ Creed, even if they belong to a different Christian tradition or church.

If you or your church deny any statement of the Apostles’ Creed, we do not refuse fellowship with you, but on this basis we do not recognize you as Christians.

The Apostles’ Creed

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I believe in God the Father almighty,

Maker of heaven and earth,

and in Jesus Christ,

His only Son, our Lord,

who was conceived of the Holy Spirit

and born of the Virgin Mary,

who suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, died, and was buried,

descended into hell,

rose again from the dead on the third day,

ascended into heaven

and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty,

who will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the holy catholic Church,

the communion of saints,

the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body,

and the life everlasting.

Amen.